Wednesday, March 20, 2013

We all love our Hometown. It is the place that wraps its arms around you, no matter how long you have been away. Familiar faces, streets, businesses...it is home.

I live in Rockford, Illinois. And I love my town. The hubs and I travel quite a bit, and when all is said and done...we always end the trip saying what a great time we had, but we are ready to go home. I want to see my guys behind the counter at my local hardware store. I want to eat a Hawaiian Burrito at my favorite restaurant. I want to drive the tree-lined streets with the houses I dream about living in. It is the simple things that make me love this place.

Recently, it has been sad to see Rockford making a certain 'list' that a large magazine publishes, ranking cities based on their perceived desirability. {I am not naming names because I think the whole idea is ridiculous, so why even go there.}

Rather than feed into such negativity...I give you the "Put On Some Positivity" campaign!!

Daniel & Michael Hopkins of Oblique Ideas are the great minds behind a website from my town called Exhilarate Rockford. It is an organization that collects snippets of appreciation and improvement (all phrased positively) about Rockford and publishes them online.They want to uplift our city, give everyone a chance to express their pride and love for the town where they live. They have a simple mission. Share and spread positivity about Rockford, Illinois.

Simple as that. It really is not a hard task. Focus on the good. Spread the love. Pass it on. You can do it!

While they have been providing a format for people to share the reasons why they love it here online...they have taken what you have said and turned it pride you can wear!

I don't think I could say it any better than the brothers have said it themselves...

"It is about reminding people of the good things so that they will care more about their city. It's about changing the way we think, to know why we want to work so hard to solve the problems we face. That is what we are all about. We don't want to ignore the problems, but we do want to highlight the assets, the organizations that are helping, and the great places in town people should visit. It is all about sharing some love."

Amen to that!

So if you want to show your support...and share some Rockford love...visit Exhilarate Rockford. Leave a short note telling everyone what you love about this magnificent city!!

Rockford has shown my little shop an unbelievable amount of love and support. It is because of all of you that I am able to be a part of this great city!! To return the favor, I want to help spread the positivity, too! This weekend, Urban Farmgirl is carrying the shirts that are the cornerstone of the "Put On Some Positivity" campaign! Want to wear your pride on your back?? Stop by the shop and pick up a t-shirt in support of Daniel & Michael's project!

{Shirts are $23...come in sizes XS-XXL. They are a heathered charcoal gray, 50/50 cotton blend. Super cozy and comfy, I promise. I am wearing one as I type this!}

Want one shipped to you? I am happy to spread some Rockford love across the miles...just drop me a note with the email address you use for PayPal and what size you would like and we will get one out to you right away!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

So much fun has been happening around here! The shop is AMAZING, life is good and there are new adventures around every corner! Although I have not had too much time to blog, I have been thinking about all of you, trying to keep up on what is going on mostly through Facebook and Instagram.

They have taken the place of blogging these last few months since the shop has opened...I love how quickly I can post photos from around the shop, or keep in touch while I am out hunting for cool old stuff.

I feel like I don't have much going on these days other than what happens at the shop, and hate to bore you over and over with more of the same..but...it's what I've got going on lately, so here we go. My girl, Susan {from Maple & Magnolia} was kind enough to snap some photos between customers the last time we were open so I actually have something to show you! Things were already a little picked over, but you get the idea of what we've got goin' on!

Since we are only open only 2 weekends a month, we have this crazy need to change it up each time it is open...we tear it all down, bring in new things and style it completely different each time. Crazy - but SO MUCH FUN!

The displays are all about color these days...must be because we are so over this gray Midwest winter weather...so we are rollin' spring in, ready or not!

All these photos were from the last weekend we were open...but you should see this weekend's display! Spring-like - but a little rustic {which is my FAV!}, mixed with new painted furniture pieces and finds from my latest picking adventure through Indiana!

I hope this little cutie stops in again this week. This is sweet Miss Georgia Claire. She came marching in with her cape on...spotted my vintage tiara's and we KNEW it was the perfect photo op with one of our new chalkboard style prints...

let's chat! drop me an email!

urbanfarmgirlandco@yahoo.com

NEVER MISS A POST!

check out my pins!

click here to follow me

WHO AM I??

I am an urban farmgirl. The first 17 years of my life, I spent living in the country, on a little farm with a beautiful white barn and a big farmhouse I miss every day of my life. I was raised to work hard and love the simple things. Back then I yearned for the bright lights and a big city, but today, I find myself living in a small city and dreaming of returning to my roots.

I spend my days doing what I love...running my own little business...trying everyday to keep it from running me. I spend my nights dreaming of backroads, a big old farmhouse and living a life unscheduled. I am a homebody. Yet, I am a victim of wanderlust. I want to travel the world with my sweet husband. So come along for the ride. I will chronicle this crazy thing I call my life and all that entails. You will find a little bit of everything here...furniture makeovers, details of our travel, even a DIY saga or two as we reno our new home.